Mayor Garcia praises Biden for designating Avi Kwame as a national monument

The Needles City Council meeting on March 28, 2023, featured significant discussions surrounding the recent designation of the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument. Mayor Colleen Garcia commended President Biden for this designation, emphasizing its importance in preserving the cultural and historical values of the area, which is significant to the Fort Mojave Tribe and other indigenous groups.

During her remarks, Mayor Garcia highlighted the monument's location, north of Laughlin, and its cultural significance as a place of creation for the Mohave people. She noted that the area is rich in history, with petroglyphs and other markings left by ancestors who lived there for generations. The mayor expressed gratitude for the support received from various coalitions and environmentalists in the effort to protect this land, which has been a long-standing dream of the tribe's elders.

In addition to the monument discussion, the meeting included a presentation by Michael Scully, General Manager of Fort Mohave Telephone Incorporated, who addressed broadband services in the area. The council members and attendees were encouraged to engage with Scully's presentation and ask questions regarding the broadband initiatives.

Overall, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to fostering relationships with indigenous communities and enhancing local infrastructure, marking a pivotal moment for both cultural preservation and community development in Needles.